Community

Our co-operative makes regular, concerted efforts to engage in and support the communities where our facilities are located and where our members and employees live, work and play with their families.

We do this by regularly sponsoring and participating in local community events and programs; by supporting organizations dedicated to serving others and improving the wellbeing of communities through the Gay Lea Foundation; through the stewardship of Ontario’s dairy heritage and the creation of innovative community-based educational and co-operative programming at the Gay Lea Dairy Museum and, of course; by providing jobs, supporting families and contributing the sustainability of communities in Ontario and beyond.

The Gay Lea Foundation

The Gay Lea Foundation is the official registered charity of Gay Lea Foods, dedicated to supporting education, poverty relief, co-operative development and community well-being projects in Canada and around the world. Funded by Gay Lea Foods and through personal contributions from the co-operative’s delegates, Directors and employees, the Foundation has awarded grants to more than 20 registered Canadian charities doing important development work in Canada, Haiti, Central America, Asia and Africa since it was created in 2014.

The Gay Lea Dairy Museum

The Gay Lea Dairy Museum celebrates the rich agricultural history of Ontario and Canada. Started as the pet project of an Aylmer, Ontario farm couple and purchased by Gay Lea Foods in 2008, the Museum has grown to include a fascinating collection of heritage artifacts and a dynamic array of educational programming extending beyond dairy to encompass everything from agriculture, geography, Canadian history, art, team building, entrepreneurial/business skills and co-operative principles.

Plans are now underway to develop a collaborative, year-round Co-operative Education Centre (CEC) on the Museum site. The CEC will see new programming and facilities to educate, train and prepare co-operative members, elected representatives and employees so they can contribute effectively to the development of their co-operatives and their communities.